Badly injured in a motocross accident two years ago, 15-year-old Max Bartley is still on the road to recovery. Thanks to a grant for a new set of golf clubs, he’s found a new sport he can play with his mates and family.
In May 2023, Max was enjoying his favourite sport, ‘motocross’, when he had a life-threatening accident. “He had all the right gear on, but the rear wheel flipped out when he hit the face of a jump,” says his father, Glenn. “Unfortunately, he was thrown headfirst onto the ground, resulting in a significant brain injury.”
A rescue helicopter was already in the air and reached Max within 20 minutes. He survived, but the journey ahead was long and uncertain. “It was unbelievably stressful. At first we thought it was a minor concussion, but once I got to the hospital, we realised how serious it was,” Glenn says. “The doctors compared his brain injury to a major adult stroke. Seeing him lying there surrounded by doctors, tubes and machines every where … something in me broke that day.”
After weeks in a coma, Max spent many months in hospital before beginning rehabilitation at the Wilson Home. “The Wilson Home is an incredible place,” says Glenn. “The staff were incredible and so positive throughout the whole thing. It was a scary process, moving from hospital to rehabilitation, but the staff helped us feel reassured that he would be well looked after.”
Two years on, Max is making great progress thanks to ongoing therapy and rehabilitation. “Initially, the doctors didn’t think he’d ever walk or talk again,” says Glenn. “Now he’s walking – not like he used to, but he’s made incredible progress. He still has limited use of his left arm and hand, but he’s determined to gain as much control and movement as he can.”
“Mentally and emotionally, he’s doing well. He’s back at school full-time and has just passed some NCA Level 1 tests. His memory is amazing – that side of it is great, but it does mean he’s aware what he’s missing out on.”
Golf clubs, parasailing and an amazing holiday
This year, Max received one of our Equipment & Activity Grants for a set of golf clubs, as well as membership at their local golf course. The golf clubs give Max a safe, social way to play sport with friends – and Glenn often plays with him as well.
Glenn says Max was over the moon when he received the clubs. “He plays one-handed, but his left hand is starting to improve – he’s had a few minor procedures and has started on a new drug which has helped improve the tone in his hand and fingers. He loves going out with his mates, and golf is something he can do with them. “
A few months after the accident, the family also received a holiday grant from the Wilson Home Trust. “We went to Taupo and went parasailing – that was awesome,” says Glenn. “Max had only been out of hospital for five or six months, and it was a really cool thing that Max, his brother and I could do together.”
The grant covered accommodation and Max’s parasailing adventure.
“He wanted to go bungee jumping, but the doctors said no to that!” he says. “Parasailing was the next best thing – it was a great way to celebrate that he was alive and to remind us how far he’d come.”
To other families facing similar challenges, Glenn has this advice: “Definitely apply for grants. Whether it’s equipment, a holiday, or something that helps your child stay occupied and do what other kids can do, it can really make a huge difference.”
